News

Monday, October 14, is Columbus Day, and Indigenous People’s Day. This reality could take us into a painful place, if we allow it. Is it possible to celebrate both and recognize them both? Let’s look into it.

The states that celebrate Indigenous Peoples or Native Americans are Alaska, Hawaii, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, New Mexico, Oregon, South Dakota, Vermont, Wisconsin and Washington D.C.

Columbus Day

Let’s see what Awareness Days says about the history of Columbus day:

“The history of Columbus Day dates back to the late 18th century when Italian-Americans began celebrating Christopher Columbus’s voyages as a way to honor their heritage and contributions to American society. In 1937, President Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaimed Columbus Day as a national holiday, recognizing its historical significance.

“While Columbus Day is celebrated in the United States, it is worth noting that its observance has evolved over time and is subject to debate and discussion regarding its historical context and impact on Indigenous communities.”

Our Evolution

We have seen continuous changes in our collective consciousness as we begin to manifest a balanced and just world. This land was taken in a process called colonization. As our ancestors came to the United States the Native Americans were pushed into reservations and forced to assimilate into an entirely different culture than the one they had been enjoying. As the European-descended people of the US built their world, they also began to realize what wrongs had been done on their behalf.

There is, within all of us, a desire for morality and justice in our world. It was that desire that brought an end to slavery. The people also saw to it that the Native Americans received reparations. And, a few years ago, the people began to question whether the arrival of Columbus should be celebrated. We are left with that question today as we reach October 14.

Indigenous People’s Day

Let’s see what Wikipedia says about Indigenous People’s Day:

“Indigenous Peoples’ Day is a holiday in the United States that celebrates and honors Indigenous American peoples and commemorates their histories and cultures. It is celebrated across the United States on the second Monday in October, and is an official city and state holiday in various localities. It began as a counter-celebration held on the same day as the U.S. federal holiday of Columbus Day, which honors Italian explorer Christopher Columbus. Some people do not observe Columbus Day at all, citing the lasting harm Indigenous tribes suffered because of Columbus’s contributions to the European colonization of the Americas.”

Appreciating Both

Can we appreciate the European explorers who first sailed to the Americas Region and opened the way for our government’s founders while also appreciating the Indigenous Americans who suffered loss at their arrival?

We are very grateful for the principles of freedom that the founders created the US Government upon. It is these principles that have fed our evolution and will continue to feed our evolution. Because of a natural love for individual freedom, justice and equality we see wrongs done as something we must and will correct.

The B Corporation concept is, within itself, a commitment to correct the corporate ‘profit above all’ mindset. The B Corporation is committed to respect and appreciate all employees and not only treat them fairly, but in fact commit to them as stakeholders. The B Corporation also considers the clients, community and environment to be stakeholders in the company.

We can be grateful that the founders of America, brought here through the explorations of Columbus, created a government structure that embraces freedom and justice for all. And we can be grateful for all of the wisdom and natural beauty of Native American Peoples. We appreciate that Native Americans have maintained some of their culture and have shared their wisdom with us.

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AMS Fulfillment is a Certified B Corporation, dedicated to People and Planet before Profit. We work to B the Change we wish to see in the world.

We’re all aware of the pink ribbon… when it shows up, we’re going to talk about early detection of breast cancer. According to Google, more than 360 thousand people will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2024. Breast cancer can be survived, and when caught early, the 5-year relative survival rate is 99%. Like prostate cancer, breast cancer is a subject worth talking about.

At AMS we have supported the American Cancer Society’s annual Relay for Life Event for many years through our Signature Sponsorship. Additionally, our Activity Committee engages in employee luminaria fundraising, lighting up our community and honoring every life touched by cancer. Employees make a small donation to dedicate a Luminaria to a loved one lost, someone currently battling, or anyone who has overcome cancer by decorating their Luminaria to make it a completely personal experience. At the event, our Activities Committee sets up a fundraising booth to raise additional funds, and our valued clients will donate their inventory to the cancer survivors. Together, making a difference.

Wear Pink on October 18th 

In October, during Breast Cancer Awareness month, one of the ways the public is reminded and encouraged to get involved is through the “Wear It Pink” day. The day is October 18^th this year. The idea is covered in the Awareness Days website as follows [LINK]:

“Wear It Pink 2024 is an annual event that invites people to wear pink clothing or accessories to show their support for breast cancer awareness and research. This vibrant and positive campaign aims to raise awareness about breast cancer, encourage early detection, and raise funds for breast cancer research and support services. Wear It Pink is an opportunity for individuals, schools, workplaces, and communities to unite in a colorful display of solidarity and commitment to ending breast cancer.”

At breastcancer dot org, we learn a bit more about the history of the awareness efforts.

“The event began in 1985 as a week-long awareness campaign by the American Cancer Society, in partnership with Imperial Chemical Industries, a British company that made tamoxifen. The campaign eventually grew into a month-long event.  In 1992, the pink ribbon came into play after Alexandra Penney, SELF magazine’s Editor-in-Chief, partnered with Evelyn Lauder, Estée Lauder’s Senior Corporate Vice President and a breast cancer survivor, to distribute pink ribbons after the magazine’s second annual Breast Cancer Awareness Month issue. Other variations of the pink ribbon have emerged in recent years to raise awareness that all people with breast cancer are not the same. These include ribbons for raising awareness about metastatic breast cancer, men with breast cancer, inflammatory breast cancer, and more.”

Types of Breast Cancer

We went to Google with our question as to the types of breast cancer, and we found that there are many types, including:

#Ductal carcinoma: The most common type of breast cancer, starting in the milk ducts.
#Lobular carcinoma: Starts in the milk lobules and is often found in both breasts.
#Inflammatory breast cancer: A rare, aggressive, and fast-growing type that occurs when cancer cells block lymph vessels in the breast skin. The breast becomes red, swollen, and warm.
#Paget’s disease of the breast: A rare type that affects the skin of the nipple and the darker skin around it.
#Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS): A non-invasive pre-cancer that starts in the milk duct lining.
#Invasive breast cancer: Any type of breast cancer that has spread into the surrounding breast tissue.
#Metastatic breast cancer: Also known as Stage 4 breast cancer.

Breast cancer can also be classified as hormone receptor-positive or hormone receptor-negative, depending on whether the cancer cells have estrogen or progesterone receptors. HER2-positive breast cancers have high levels of the HER2 protein, which can make them grow faster.

How to do a Self-Exam

Doing a self-exam is simple, calling upon common sense and observation. It’s recommended to do the exam 4-7 days after menstruation. You can do it standing or laying down. If the choice is to lay down, put your hand behind your head and a pillow under the shoulder. You will use your fingertips to search for lumps, thick spots or other changes. Examine also the skin texture, taking note of any dimpling, indentations, puckering or texture that looks like orange peel.

Check the armpit, above the breast up to the collarbone and check for nipple discharge. Of course… if you notice anything concerning get to your doctor. Do the exam monthly, starting around age 20 forward. The self-exam is something you do in addition to the mammogram. Follow your doctor’s recommended schedule for mammograms. If you do both the self-exam on schedule and the mammogram, you are likely to catch any issues at an early stage.

Remember the 18^th

If breast cancer awareness is close to your heart, go ahead and wear pink on the 18^th and participate in the cause. It is also a good time to donate to a breast cancer charity or give a gift to a survivor. People are encouraged to use social media to talk about early detection and regular screenings. More than a few of us have experience with breast or prostate cancer, whether ourselves, a loved one, family member or friend. We want a cure for this disease, and we want support for those who are going through treatment. So, go ahead and find that pink shirt!!!

October has quite a few awareness days and some of them are definitely worth talking about. The first one we are covering is something every one of us is concerned about – cybersecurity! October is cybersecurity awareness month and we are all very much concerned about the security of our private information.

This is the 21st annual recognition, as the President and US Congress drew attention to the importance of cybersecurity in October of 2004. The history of the commemoration is found at the Awareness Days website [LINK]:

“National Cybersecurity Awareness Month was first observed in 2004 as a joint effort between the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the National Cyber Security Alliance. Since then, it has grown into a global awareness campaign, emphasizing the importance of cybersecurity in our increasingly connected world.”

AMS and Cybersecurity

We certainly do live in an increasingly connected world. Where would we be, as a full-service fulfillment center, without this incredible Internet and electronic communications? At AMS we take cybersecurity very seriously.

AMS has a highly skilled in-house Internet Technology team that not only develops our systems, which are exceptionally precise and a foundation for our success, but they are also exceptionally secure. When we integrate our system with the systems of our clients, we fully protect the information of our clients’ customers. We know the importance of cybersecurity to our stakeholders.

Some ‘Stay Safe’ Recommendations

From the Awareness website we are offered the following recommendations on how to stay safe:

“Educate Yourself: Learn about common cyber threats, such as phishing, malware, and ransomware, and how to recognize and avoid them.

“Update Software: Ensure that your devices, operating systems, and software applications are up to date with the latest security patches.

“Use Strong Passwords: Create and regularly update strong, unique passwords for all your online accounts and consider using a password manager.

“Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Activate 2FA wherever possible to add an extra layer of security to your accounts.

“Back Up Data: Regularly back up your important data to secure and accessible locations to prevent data loss in case of cyberattacks.

“Share Knowledge: Educate friends, family, and colleagues about cybersecurity best practices and encourage them to participate in NCSAM.

“Stay Informed: Follow cybersecurity news, blogs, and resources to stay updated on the latest threats and security tips.”

What Else Can We Do?

We found some very good information available from Microsoft on how to protect your computer. We’re not going to quote the article, but simply offer the recommendations:

#1 Use a firewall
#2 Keep all software up to date
#3 Use antivirus software and keep it current
#4 Make sure your passwords are well-chosen and protected
#5 Don’t open suspicious attachments
#6 Don’t click unusual links in messages
#7 Avoid visiting sites that offer potentially illicit content
#8 Make sure anything you download comes from a trusted source
#9 Don’t use USBs or other external devices unless you own them

Let’s All Stay Safe

Most of us are aware of the precautions we listed, and yet the threats to our personal information keep evolving and increasing. They can appear in email, tweets, posts, online ads, messages, or attachments. We hope that our readers are determined and successful at keeping personal information safe!!

Thank you for your exemplary performance during the month of August: SHAUN R., KRISTE L., ANA M., NATALIE B., KENNYA L., ALEXANDRA B., ODALYS R., IRMA M., and ROGELIO D.

In the fulfillment industry, employees directly serve the company’s clients, making their efforts vital to the growth and success of the business. At AMS Fulfillment we appreciate and value our employees, and we respect and invest in them. Every month we see our employees working hard with such outstanding dedication and we are continually impressed by the results they produce!

Congratulations to this month’s winners! All Winners will receive an Employee of the Month Certificate, T-Shirt, and Quarterly Celebration Lunch!

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SHAUN R., Inventory Control Supervisor I (07/10/2023) Boulden

Shaun started with us a little over a year ago as a picker/packer and has moved up to our Inventory Control Supervisor. He has done an amazing job in his new position as he goes above and beyond for all of us (we “bug” him all day) and our clients. Shaun always has a smile on his face no matter what’s going on around him and ALWAYS has an open chair for anyone who just needs a “quick” chat hahaha. He is always on time, ready to work, and always willing to help where needed. He has been a major addition to our leadership team, and we appreciate all that he does. We all are looking forward to seeing him continue to grow here at AMS. – Meggan S.

KRISTE L., Operations Lead I (08/16/2019) Churchman’s

Kriste came to us from New Holland to assist in the QA department for one of our B2B clients. She had previously come down on numerous occasions to help during VAS projects or last year’s PI while we were adjusting to the new building and growing our team. Needless to say, she has always gone above and beyond to be a team player and assist wherever necessary. The more recent move to the QA department was a permanent move and quite a tremendous commitment on her end. Kriste commutes tirelessly almost two hours a day to be a part of our team and then goes home to be with her children – to me, she is the epitome of a working mom, and she does it with such grace! Each day she brings her A-game, and it shows in her communication with the B2B ops team as well as the CS team. She has also spent time training another associate new to QA/logistics and his progress is a testament to how patient and thorough she is when it comes to teaching others. It has been a pleasure to have Kriste join our team here in Churchman’s and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for her as we continue to expand! – Sarah M.

ANA M., Account Coordinator I (11/30/2011) Client Services

Ana has consistently demonstrated exceptional performance in her role. Her hard work, dedication, and attitude have made a significant impact on the team and have contributed to our successes. When one of our clients came on board with over 875+ B2B orders per month, Ana said no problem! She has proven to be a force reckoned with! There is no denying that Ana is always willing to put in the work to ensure that not only her clients are feeling great but also the different teams that she works with. She has a strong relationship with operations and does a great job of making sure that those around her feel appreciated. Our team wouldn’t be complete without Ana and her fun energy! Thank you, Ana, for all that you do and all you bring to the table. We could not do this without you! – Stacy C.

NATALIE B., Inventory Receiving Specialist (08/27/2015) Headquarters WH

Natalie is on the Shipping team that takes care of all outgoing orders. She is always working hard to ensure all orders get prepped to be picked up accordingly. She helps Lou manage all the chaos of the shipping side checking in all drivers, verifying the details, and getting them ready to roll out. She continues to be a great help and is always fun and outgoing. She also helps in receiving by checking in drivers and getting them to the correct docks and at times helps offloading and loading trucks.  She is and continues to provide great value for AMS! – Ignacio F.

KENNYA L., Operations Associate II (05/02/2022) Livingston

Kennya is an outstanding employee here at Livingston who comes to work every day and will give 100% effort from the time she reports to work until the second she leaves work. Kenya demonstrates amazing communication, urgency, and great input. What separates Kenya is her outstanding attention to detail that she demonstrates at “the wall” and she is always aware of what needs to be completed before the next set of orders. Even on our busiest of days, I could count on her at the pack stations. I could say with 100% confidence that she cares in many ways, especially within SLA is what stands out. Thank you, Kenya, for all your hard work, and commitment and for communicating with me when I need you most. Thank you!!!! – Saul M.

ALEXANDRA B., Seasonal Operations Associate (05/21/2022) New Holland

Alex has been a valuable part of the 2nd shift team. We don’t just focus on one area but need to be flexible and fill in where there is a need. Alex will work anywhere and do so with a positive attitude. She has a strong work ethic and can be left to work with a high degree of independence. A good example would be one of our major clients. On nights that only require one person to work in the area, she will both pick and pack and do so in a highly efficient manner. Alex also spends time working in another client where she typically performs her duties as part of a team. No matter who Alex is assigned to work with, the team will make sure that they are meeting their goals. – Jeffrey T.

ODALYS R., Operations Supervisor I (10/02/2023) Newark

Odalys is the Operations Supervisor here in the building and has been with us for a year on October 2nd. The growth that she has shown in the past year has been amazing. She takes complete ownership of her role here in the building, helping guide others to their success, handling her regular duties, and is always wanting and willing to learn something new. Odalys really is someone who you can count on, as an employee and as a friend. She shows up every day and is always showing a positive attitude. If she has questions about anything she will ask, she’s the person who wants to make sure everything is done correctly. She is a good role model in the building, and we aspire for people like her in the workplace. Thank you so much for everything you do Odalys, I am super proud of you! – Amber S.

IRMA M., Operations Associate II (10/06/2022) Williams

We would like to nominate Irma for Employee of the Month for her hard work and dedication to her position in the company. Irma is very detailed and organized. She is always willing to help others when help is needed. Irma is very flexible with her work schedule no matter the time. She is also willing to help in any department, and she always has a positive attitude. We are so grateful to have Irma as part of the Williams team. – Cristy G.

ROGELIO D., Inventory Manager (07/13/2016) Witherspoon

Rogelio has been with us since 2016 as he has grown tremendously as he is now an Inventory Manager. He gives his best efforts every day and takes the initiative to get things done. He has 100% commitment to do the job correctly and in an efficient way the first time. He is always willing to learn new things. He is a good team player when it comes to helping with things that he may not be accustomed to daily. He shows up every day very positive-minded and is someone we can always count on. It has been a pleasure watching his growth!! Thank you !! – Tangie D. & Yesenia P.

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To all of our Honorees, please know that whatever role you play, you are the reason for our success. Congratulations and Thank You!

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AMS Fulfillment is a Certified B Corporation, dedicated to People and Planet before Profit. We work to B the Change we wish to see in the world.

When we realized that we had missed the exact commemoration dates, it didn’t matter – this is a commemoration we want to recognize! September has come to an end, and yet we need to talk about the second week of September – Compassionate Leaders Week! Is there anything more beneficial to the world than compassionate leadership?

Here is a lead-in from National Day website [LINK]: “Companies today are faced with the decision to become more active in employee lives. In fact, employees, consumers, and stakeholders are demanding that companies take care of their people, their communities, and the world around them, too. Old expectations of working for the bottom line no longer exists as a company goal. In fact, successful companies today work towards a double bottom line, a balance between strengthening the business and the employees that work there.”

When Companies Walk the Walk

Many of our readers know that AMS is a B Corporation, and a B Corporation makes a legal commitment to walk the walk. We know that there are businesses that talk about their care for their employees, or the environment, or the community, but they do little to walk the walk. We asked Google, and found the term “woke washing.”

“The woke washing concept is defined as the appropriation of ethical and progressive values ​​as a form of advertising to improve the reputation of the company without demonstrating a real commitment to the values ​​that are communicated.”

At AMS we put a lot of energy and commitment into doing what we say we believe in, i.e. ethical and progressive values. We say we put People and Planet before Profit, and we do. We consider our stakeholders in business decisions to be our employees, our community, our planet, our clients and ourselves. From a website called “Electives” [LINK] we quote as follows regarding the benefits of compassionate leadership:

“Enhanced employee wellbeing: Leaders who genuinely care for their team members increase job satisfaction and mental wellbeing.

“Improved performance: Employees who feel supported are more motivated to perform at their best, resulting in higher productivity and better outcomes.

“Stronger team cohesion: Compassionate leaders foster an environment of trust and collaboration, leading to more effective teamwork and communication.

“Reduced turnover: A workplace culture where employees feel valued minimizes turnover, saving the organization time and resources.

“Positive organizational reputation: Organizations known for compassionate leadership are more attractive to top talent and can enhance their reputation in the industry.”

A Little History

This week-long commemoration was created by Donato Tramuto and National Day Calendar. In 2001 Donato Tramuto and Jeffrey Porter created the TramutoPorter Foundation after Donato lost two close friends and their son on 9/11. Sadly, they perished in the plane that hit the South Tower of the World Trade Center. Donato dedicated his life to spreading compassion and hence created Compassionate Leaders Week.

Leadership at AMS

Employees: AMS Fulfillment has always been committed to employees with regard to pay and benefits and safety in the workplace. Around eight years ago AMS decided to set up and fully equip a classroom where they could offer free higher education in association with a local college. Today employees can receive training and higher education during work hours, and many take advantage of the opportunity. Safety is also vital to employees in a warehouse and AMS puts a strong focus on safety. AMS has an exceptionally low incidence of lost-time injuries due to very focused and diligent safety training.

Community: For years we have supported and worked with community organizations to hire individuals with disabilities, people with prison records, homeless persons, single parents – all individuals who experience difficulties in being hired. We also support charitable drives in our communities.

Environment: AMS has a very strong recycling program including proper handling of stretch plastic. We also are very attentive to lighting and energy-saving in our warehouses. AMS offers all clients biodegradable packaging. In 2023 AMS achieved zero emission status and our Green Team continues to find ways of lessening our impact on the environment.

Clients: AMS has an exceptional Client Services department that is personally responsive to clients and their needs, and very dedicated to communication and service.

Leading With Compassion

Here below is another quote from National Day that offers a bit more about leading with compassion:

“Companies today are faced with the decision to become more active in employee lives. In fact, employees, consumers, and stakeholders are demanding that companies take care of their people, their communities, and the world around them, too. Old expectations of working for the bottom line no longer exists as a company goal. In fact, successful companies today work towards a double bottom line, a balance between strengthening the business and the employees that work there.”

We asked Kim Peszek , AMS’ Executive Vice President of Client Relations, to help us conclude on the subject of compassionate leadership and she responded with a quote by John Wooden: “The most powerful leadership tool you have is your own personal example.” Kim said, “This quote resonates with me. Not overly profound, but truth in words through actions.”

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AMS Fulfillment is a Certified B Corporation, dedicated to People and Planet before Profit. We work to B the Change we wish to see in the world.

September 21st is the 25th anniversary of the UN General Assembly’s adoption of the Declaration and Program of Action on a Culture of Peace. Isn’t that a wonderful intention… a culture of peace?

Cultivating a Culture of Peace

From the UN [LINK] we see the following:

“In a world with rising geopolitical tensions and protracted conflicts, there has never been a better time to remember how the UN General Assembly came together in 1999 to lay out the values needed for a culture of peace. These include: respect for life, human rights and fundamental freedoms; the promotion of non-violence through education, dialogue and cooperation; commitment to peaceful settlement of conflicts; and adherence to freedom, justice, democracy, tolerance, solidarity, cooperation, pluralism, cultural diversity, dialogue and understanding at all levels of society and among nations.”

We would venture to say that there is not one among us who would prefer war over peace. How do we bring peace to the world? We will offer readers the answer given by the UN.

“The ideas of peace, the culture of peace, need to be cultivated in the minds of children and communities through formal and informal education, across countries and generations.”

Children’s Poems for Peace

The UNICEF website has published videos of children offering their poems for peace. We have taken the liberty of transcribing two poems and we link the reader to the YouTube video of the child poet. The featured children are from Haiti and Ukraine.

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Chris Jordan, Age 8, Port Au Prince, Haiti [LINK]

School is good, writing is good.

Haiti is my country, I love each day I pass here.

One day I wish to hear no more guns shoot.

I like you very much, please help me, don’t scare me with bandits.

I love you because you are the country of my parents.

Long live Haiti, sweet country.

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Fadir, Age 10, Ukraine [LINK]

Everyone says school’s quite thrilling

You make the first steps on your own

But I’m about to forget this feeling

My best school years were stolen

It all turned into memories and sighting

That come to mind, so nice but fast

My first school year, the early writing

My lovely teacher, smiling from the past

Now we only visit school sometimes

We run to shelters and hide for hours

If only we could enjoy our classes

Enjoy this time of ours

But I believe that happy days will break through the pain

The war will end, the air raids will stop forever

And our classrooms will be full of kids again

My school, I’ll come, I love you

A Peace Culture for Our Children

The UN asks for a culture of peace and the people of the world certainly pray for it. Let’s look a little further into the message from the UN:

“The Constitution of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) starts with the notion that “wars begin in the minds of men so it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed”. The ideas of peace, the culture of peace, need to be cultivated in the minds of children and communities through formal and informal education, across countries and generations.

“The International Day of Peace has always been a time to lay down weapons and observe ceasefires. But it now must also be a time for people to see each other’s humanity. Our survival as a global community depends on that.”

We couldn’t agree more, at AMS Fulfillment. Everything a B Corporation does, for employees, clients, the community and our Earth, is a foundation for peace. It’s time for people to see each other’s humanity, and when we do see each other… there will be an end to war.

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AMS Fulfillment is a Certified B Corporation, dedicated to People and Planet before Profit. We work to B the Change we wish to see in the world.

We’re seeing something in the corporate world that is inspiring to the human spirit. Over the past 100 years there has been much social progress. We have seen human beings uplifting our world from one in which people and nature were exploited and harmed into one where people and nature are respected and nurtured.

In this series we will be discussing an audit that corporations undertake related to this progress. The auditor investigates the way the corporation treats its employees, their treatment of the environment and the integrity of their service to clients or customers.

As with all upliftment of our world, this inspiration is motivated by ‘we the people’. We, the people, want to see employees treated fairly, within a safe and healthy work environment; we want to see nature respected and protected; and we want to see business ethics. We want a better world… and we are willing to be the change we wish to see.

Prior to the audit taking place in the first quarter of 2025, we will be disseminating SMEDA Audit information for our AMS employees and other stakeholders. Throughout this process, we aim to educate our employees about their rights and responsibilities during the audit. We encourage the involvement and cooperation of our employees, and we assure them of confidentiality and protection from retaliation.​

Bottom line – AMS seeks to add transparency and value to our stakeholders: our employees, our community, our clients, our environment and ourselves.

What is a 4 Pillar SMETA Audit?

A SMETA Audit, stands for Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit. It is a social auditing standard recommended by Sedex (Supplier Ethical Data Exchange). The audit serves as a framework for businesses to evaluate a supplier’s working conditions in labor practices, health and safety standards, environmental responsibility, and adherence to ethical business practices.​

We want our clients to be able to evaluate AMS’ premises, operations, documentation procedures and technical systems and this is the reason for the SMETA audit. The audit findings are assessed against the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) Base Code and relevant local regulations.​ The SMETA audits rely on a certified third-party provider to conduct inspections at AMS premises. Upon our completion of the audit, our clients will be able to tell their customers how AMS performs in the following four areas:

#1 Labor Standards:​

This aspect covers areas such as working hours, wages, discrimination, child labor, and forced labor. The auditor evaluates whether the supplier adheres to national and international labor laws and regulations.​

​#2 Health and Safety:​

This aspect includes workplace safety, emergency preparedness, and employee access to healthcare. The auditor evaluates whether the supplier has established suitable health and safety policies and procedures in place.

#3 Environmental Performance​

This aspect includes waste management, water usage, energy consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions. The auditor assesses whether the supplier adheres to relevant environmental laws and regulations.​

​#4 Business Ethics:​

This aspect includes corruption, bribery, and human rights. The auditor evaluates whether the supplier has established adequate policies and procedures to prevent unethical behavior.​

Why is AMS Scheduling the SMETA Audit?

We are scheduling the audit for the first quarter of 2025 because we want to assure our stakeholders that we ‘walk the walk’, i.e. we intend to provide Transparency! Retailers, brands, and customers are placing growing emphasis on ensuring that their goods are manufactured in a manner that guarantees fair treatment for all employees across the production supply chain.​ AMS is a B Corporation… a company committed to our stakeholders: our employees, our clients, our community, our environment and ourselves, and as a B Corporation, we are very pleased to schedule and undertake this audit.

Benefits of a SMETA Audit​

The SMETA audit 1) improves understanding of the current working conditions​, 2) it provides a framework for corrective action plans​, 3) it allows companies to assess our performance, 4​) it improves AMS’ overall industry reputation​ and 5) it demonstrates that we comply with existing and upcoming legislation.

Sustainability is neither a beginning nor an end, but a constant journey forward. As a B-Corp, we put people, customers, and the planet first.

Our California employees are volunteering for the 29^th River Rally Cleanup and Environmental Expo, coming up on September 21^st. We’ve become curious about the river… what is so special about this river that 1,200 people come out every year to take care of it? The River Rally is our Climate Action… where our California AMS employees show up and show love! So, let’s look at the river!

The Santa Clara River

We went to the US Fish and Wildlife Service [LINK] for some information on this river:

“Southern California rivers are not known for their abundance of water flow. Yet, when the rains do come, the rivers can swell in dramatic fashion. Attempts to tame inconstant rivers have resulted in channelized, dammed or leveed waterways that resemble concrete canals more than Instagram-worthy landscapes. But one wild river remains: the Santa Clara River.”

The article goes on to talk about the river, how it behaves during dry months, how important it is to wildlife and to agriculture as well.

“In dry months, many areas of the Santa Clara River flow completely underground. Despite this lack of water, much of the Santa Clara River is alive with riparian trees and shrubs like willows, fragrant mule fat and native pollinators like buckwheat. These provide habitat for local birds that feed on the bugs zipping through the air or crawling along the sandy river bottom. Eleven federally listed species, and several species with dwindling population numbers, rely on the Santa Clara River as a food and habitat source.

“That the Santa Clara remains relatively untouched by modern humans is due in no small part to a long-standing partnership of federal, state, local and non-governmental organizations who work to ensure it stays that way.”

The Importance of Preserving Agriculture

With just that small amount of information we can see why people come out every year to give attention to the riverbed and shoreline. As we learn in the article, the Fish and Wildlife services from the US and California turned the riverbed in some protected areas into a Nature Conservancy.

“Much of the conservancy’s work along the river focuses on habitat restoration through invasive species removal. Preserving farmland within the floodplain is also key to maintaining the river’s wild state. Together with the Ventura County Watershed Protection District and the Farm Bureau of Ventura County, The Nature Conservancy developed a concept that addressed the needs of farmers, the needs of wildlife and habitat in the river, and the need to control flooding.”

The River Rally Cleanup

Several days ago, Samantha Hicks, AMS’ ESG Program Manager, sent a reminder to the AMS employees about the date of the River Rally Cleanup. We will share some of that message with readers, and ask anyone who would like to be a part of the AMS team on the 21^st to email Samantha and let her know you would like to join!

“Let’s take care of our environment together! This is AMS Climate Action in real-time! Join AMS and the hundreds of Santa Clarita residents in this 3-hour volunteer event, cleaning a portion of the Santa Clara riverbed north of Creekside Road! Gloves and trash bags will be provided. This is a great outdoor volunteer opportunity for families and groups. Open to all ages.

“All participants must wear closed-toe shoes and appropriate clothing for picking up debris in the riverbed and are highly encouraged to wear sun protection such as sunscreen and a hat. Volunteers should plan to bring a refillable water bottle to stay hydrated with the opportunity to visit an on-site water refill station, provided by SCV Water.

“Additionally, volunteers are encouraged to carpool, walk, ride public transportation or cycle to the event, where a FREE bike valet service will be provided by Incycle.”

Date/Time:  Saturday, September 21, from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m.

Location: William S. Hart Pony Baseball and Softball Complex (23780 Auto Center Drive, Santa Clarita, CA 91355)

“Participants should also take advantage of the Environmental Expo to explore non-profits, community groups and organizations offering tips on preserving the City’s local watershed, pollution prevention, sustainability efforts, recycling and climate action. For safety reasons, pets are not allowed at this event.”

Please contact [email protected].

More About the River

“Eleven federally listed species, and several species with dwindling population numbers, rely on the Santa Clara River as a food and habitat source. This includes other sensitive or listed species like the southwestern pond turtle, the unarmored threespine stickleback, and southern steelhead. The loss of this habitat could compromise the stability of existing populations and the ability to recover already tenuous populations of these species. The Nature Conservancy developed a concept that addressed the needs of farmers, the needs of wildlife and habitat in the river, and the need to control flooding.”

You are invited to join us in appreciating, respecting and cleaning up the beautiful Santa Clara River.

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AMS Fulfillment is a Certified B Corporation, dedicated to People and Planet before Profit. We work to B the Change we wish to see in the world.

It starts on the 15^th of September and the celebration lasts until the 15^th of October – we get to enjoy and appreciate and celebrate the culture and heritage of our Hispanic friends and co-workers. We will begin with some thoughts from the National Today website [LINK].

“Every year from September 15 to October 15, Americans celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month by appreciating the community’s history, heritage, and contributions of the ancestors of American citizens who came from Mexico, Spain, the Caribbean, and South- and Central America. 

“Hispanic Heritage Month originally started with one week of commemoration when it was first introduced by Congressman George E. Brown in June 1968. With the civil rights movement, the need to recognize the contributions of the Latin community gained traction in the 1960s. Awareness of the multicultural groups living in the United States was also gradually growing.”

What is Hispanic Heritage?

The previous quote told us a little about Hispanic heritage, but not enough for us to grasp just how unique Hispanic heritage is. We wanted to know more, so we asked the question of Google, and took note of the first five offerings. Number 5 is certainly true:

#1 Hispanic heritage refers to a person who is from, or a descendant of someone from a Spanish-speaking country. Latino/a or Latinx heritage refers to a person who is from, or a descendant of someone from a country in Latin America. Hispanic and Latinx communities continue to grow and impact the built environment.

#2 Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.

#3 Hispanic countries are Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Spain, Uruguay, and Venezuela.

#4 Hispanic cultures are known for their vibrant festivals, and food is an integral part of these celebrations. From Dia de los Muertos in Mexico to La Tomatina in Spain, festivals often feature traditional dishes that showcase the unique flavors of each region.

#5 The Hispanic population has been integral to the prosperity of the U.S. Their contributions to the nation are immeasurable, and they embody the best of American values. The Hispanic-American community has left an indelible mark on the U.S. culture and economy.

Roots in Colonization

There was a time period when the country of Spain colonized a large portion of the North, Central and South American region of the Americas. The language and the culture of Spain traveled with the ships and Latin America became ‘Latin’. The Indigenous People of the region took on some of the Spanish culture and somehow, through the beauty of the human spirit, incorporated their already existing culture and beliefs into the Spanish culture to create something entirely new… Hispanic Heritage.

Hispanic Heritage Celebrations

The Smithsonian provides a wonderful website in which to explore Hispanic Heritage, called “The National Museum of the American Latino.” [LINK] We’ll offer two brief paragraphs and encourage readers to visit this excellent page in order to learn and enjoy!

“Hispanic Heritage Month provides an additional opportunity to explore the incredible impact Latinas and Latinos have had on the United States for generations. The Latino presence in America spans centuries, predating Spain’s colonization of what is now part of the United States, and they have been an integral part of shaping our nation since the Revolutionary War. Through the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and the Treaty of Paris that followed the Mexican-American and Spanish-American wars, the United States gained territories in the Southwest and Puerto Rico. This incorporated the people of this area into the United States and further expanded the presence of Hispanic Americans.

“Today, the Latino population in the United States is over 60 million, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. This makes up 18.9% of the total population and is the largest racial or ethnic group. Latinos continue to help fuel our economy and enrich our nation as entrepreneurs, athletes, artists, entertainers, scientists, public servants, and much more.”

AMS Appreciates You!

Allow us to give a ton of appreciation to our employees who are celebrating their Hispanic heritage this month! We Appreciate You during this commemorative month and year-round! You are a big part of AMS’ Success and we are Grateful!

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AMS Fulfillment is a Certified B Corporation, dedicated to People and Planet before Profit. We work to B the Change we wish to see in the world.

It’s our bet… but let’s do it. We bet every one of our readers is distressed and revolted by images of plastic pollution, i.e. islands of plastic floating on the water. It’s an awful sight. Because of those images we try to make some shopping changes. We hesitate to buy things wrapped in plastic or inside plastic bottles. We do our very best to recycle when we do. None of us wants our Earth suffocating under plastic!

When a fulfillment company speaks about ‘circular models’ it means when products are returned to the seller, and that return comes to us, we can fix it if it’s broken, we can re-package it and put it back on the shelf if it’s the wrong item, if it’s broken beyond repair we can recycle it, or we can donate it for some other use. Basically, we do everything we can to keep things from a one-way trip, from manufacturing to the landfill. Circular model means re-use, repurpose, recycle.

What the UN Says

We’re going to take this moment to praise and thank our AMS employees for their dedication to recycling, and re-purposing. We have two very inspiring stories from our employees, but first, from an article posted on the UN Environmental Program website [LINK] we read the following:

“Our economies have for too long been built on the relentless extraction, use and wasting of resources, which destroys nature, warms the climate, pollutes ecosystems, feeds inequalities and throws away resources that still have huge value to economies.

“So, reducing the resource intensity of key economic sectors and adopting circular models is central to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. To hitting the targets set by global agreements on climate, biodiversity, chemicals and pollution. To delivering equity, justice and a healthy planet for all.”

Re-use, Recycle, Repurpose

In the past two years AMS found a way to recycle and repurpose stretch plastics. It was a challenge for the AMS Green Team, and they searched until they found a solution. They wanted to keep stretch plastic out of the landfill, so they investigated and researched and found a company that recycles clean stretch plastic in large amounts. They purchased containers and our employees accumulated the plastic on site at every warehouse. Our employees were pleased and proud to turn plastic waste over to be re-used and made into other plastic items.

More Power to the Employees

Now we’re going to tell the stories of the wisdom and dedication of employees. We’re so proud to see the concern for plastic waste that we all share, bringing about ingenious solutions. The following letter is from one of our valued employees on behalf of the Facilities team in the Witherspoon warehouse location:

“There is a client in Witherspoon that ships its product in a plastic bag in a cardboard box. Every box has a bag. In the past, Facilities has separated these bags during the cardboard recycling process and included them in our plastic recycling effort. In a move to decrease our costs to purchase trash bags, and ultimately reduce our footprint in the landfills, Facilities has for the last 8-10 months, gathered thousands of these bags, and distributed them to all our warehouses to be reused.  They are frequently reused multiple times before becoming unusable and sent for recycling.  It is a double win for AMS and the environment!” – George, Facilities Director

Samantha Hicks, AMS’ ESG Program Manager, responded to George’s message as follows: “This was such a great idea to reduce plastic waste from the landfills AND reuse old materials to stop AMS from having to purchase more. This initiative would have gone unnoticed by others who do not particularly work in this daily task, so it proves that change is a collective action, and everyone can make a difference in their day-to-day, one thing at a time.” 

Another Inspiring Story

Samantha shared a 2^nd inspiring letter with us as follows:

“This week I started a project that will reduce waste on a broader scale. I have been receiving the mail here at AMS NH and have found that each and every day it is loaded with junk magazines, catalogs and flyers.  What I have been doing is calling these companies and asking to be taken off their mailing list.  

“I explain to them that we are a B Corporation and we strive to cut down on waste. So far, 99% of them appreciate our sentiments of saving the planet. Every little bit helps the green movement.

“If any person needs to find a product and or vendor, we are typically drawn to “google” for the desired result. Not only are we reducing the waste here at AMS, we are also reducing the waste for many of our vendors. In addition, we are helping to reduce costs as well. Printed matter is expensive.

“I feel like this is a small step to a greener planet, however, this is an important step that we here at AMS can do to help the movement.”

Bill C., Accounting Specialist

We All Care – The Earth Matters

We’ll conclude with one more quote from the UN:

“Every day, the equivalent of 2,000 garbage trucks full of plastic are dumped into the world’s oceans, rivers, and lakes.”

That statement, in and of itself, should make an environmental activist out of every one of us. Thank You to our AMS employees for reducing the environmental impact of plastics in our warehouses and reducing the waste of printed material. Thank You for wisely re-using, repurposing, recycling and reducing!

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AMS Fulfillment is a Certified B Corporation, dedicated to People and Planet before Profit. We work to B the Change we wish to see in the world.

Early in September a message went out to all AMS employees, encouraging the men to ask their doctor for a prostate cancer screening. The message encouraged a PSA blood test. We join in that encouragement. Yes, please do it!!

September is designated as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, and as we do for Breast Cancer Awareness, we do for Prostate Cancer Awareness… these cancers take lives, and if diagnosed early, lives are saved.

Let’s Learn About It

Of course just the word ‘cancer’ brings up fear of illness and death, but as we know from experience, many cancers can be cured. There may be surgeries involved, and perhaps other treatments, but cancer can not only be survived, it can be cured!

Let’s begin with a quote from the American Association for Cancer Research [LINK] about screening.

“Screening options for prostate cancer, which include a digital rectal exam and a blood test for prostate-specific antigen (PSA), often catch the disease before it spreads. As a result, the five-year survival rate is 97.5%.”

That is definitely good news – very good news in fact! Next we visited the website of the American College of Surgeons [LINK]:

“Though prostate cancer may not receive as much media attention as breast cancer, it is nearly as common, affecting about 1 in 8 men in their lifetime.

“In 2024, about 299,010 men will be newly diagnosed with prostate cancer, more than any type of cancer aside from skin cancer, and about 35,250 men will die from prostate cancer—the most deaths from any cancer in men after lung and bronchus cancer.

“Receiving proper health screenings can be lifesaving. Unfortunately, research shows that men are less likely to visit their primary care doctor than women. A 2022 survey by the Cleveland Clinic revealed that more than half of men surveyed said they do not receive regular health screenings, and 77 percent of men did not know their complete family history regarding urological issues.”

Please Get the Screening – We LY

As readers can see from the previous quote, men are less likely to visit their primary care doctor and get the health screenings than women. For that reason alone we are going to double down and repeat the message to AMS employees, clients and friends… don’t avoid the screening. It could save your life.

Let’s just say to the men we value so highly… we are your Mothers, Sisters, Daughters and Wives. We want you to get the tests as we do for breast cancer. AMS employees have some excellent health benefits, and AMS encourages employees to go ahead and use their sick time off for doctor visits and wellness checkups. So, no excuse!

We also did some searching online for the best resource material regarding prostate health, and we ended up at the Prostate Cancer Foundation. There is quite a lot of good information at this website, and we encourage a visit.

Message from the US President

We’ll conclude with the message that the Whitehouse posted regarding prostate cancer awareness [LINK]:

“Too many Americans know the grief of losing a father, son, brother, or friend to prostate cancer.  Nearly 300,000 American men get diagnosed with this terrible disease and over 35,000 people lose their lives to it, making prostate cancer the second leading cause of cancer death for men.  This National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, we mourn all the courageous men we have tragically lost too soon to prostate cancer.  We honor the extraordinary resilience of those currently living with and surviving this disease.  And we thank the families who tirelessly support their loved ones every step of the way.” 

Chances are we have cancer survivors in our midst at AMS and they (we) know well that this disease can be survived. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Before October comes around we want the men we love and appreciate to visit the doctor and get tested. Early awareness of the disease is vital to survival. Bottom line… we care about you – our employees, clients and friends – and we want you with us for a good long time!!

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AMS Fulfillment is a Certified B Corporation, dedicated to People and Planet before Profit. We work to B the Change we wish to see in the world.

Sometimes, when paying attention to the ‘commemorative days’ in the calendar, we come across a very good idea arising at exactly the right time! On September 6^th, this Friday, we are reminded to put Food on the Food Bank Shelves. Why now? The holidays are coming!!

As we enter September, we begin to think about the upcoming holiday season. Our holidays are times when food must be on everyone’s table. We want everyone to be well fed at all times of course, but our hearts go out to respond to needs even more during the holidays.

National Food Bank Day

According to Google, the 6^th of September is National Food Bank Day. “National Food Bank Day on the first Friday in September encourages you to commit to contributing to the cause that believes no one should go to bed hungry.”

We certainly share in that belief, and we’re confident that the AMS Activities Committee is gearing up for our annual food bank drives, benefitting the communities in which we exist. AMS has supported local food banks for years, even delivering meals to families on Thanksgiving. Readers can expect a report on our food bank drives in the weeks to come, with appreciation for the hard-working and dedicated volunteers in our Activities Committee!!

At National Today [LINK] we read the following: “Hunger is a continuing problem in our global community and National Food Bank Day is a reminder to others that no one should go to bed hungry. Food banks provide food to the poor with the help of volunteers and social workers. They also promote tools for self-sufficiency. This day is to honor those workers, volunteers, and food bank charities who work in this regard.”

History of the Commemoration

The following history is from National Today: “St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance is a nonprofit, nonsectarian organization that was founded by John van Hengel in 1967. Van Hegel was looking for a way to prevent the wastage of groceries and eventually came up with the idea of redistributing any food that was not eaten to the hungry. St Mary’s was the first organization to operate using the food bank model. It is considered the first food bank, making St. Mary’s a pioneer in the food banking system. The organization has been successfully alleviating hunger for almost 50 years. This idea of food banks spread and many other food banks were created across the country.”

Mr. Van Hengel went on to found other food banks. Readers may be familiar with the organization, Feeding America, which is one of his creations. “He also founded the Global Food Banking Network and has since been known as “the father of food banking.” National Food Bank Day was selected on behalf of Van Hengel to commemorate his extraordinary works.”

The International Effort Against Hunger

While we are thinking about the holidays and hunger, and making our plans to help however we can, let’s take a look at what the UN is doing and encouraging, and the role of food banks in their effort:

“In September 2000, world leaders established Millennium Development Goals and they signed a commitment to achieve them by 2015. The first goal was to end extreme poverty and hunger. They also specified three targets: The first was to halve the proportion of people who suffer from hunger by 2015. The second was to decrease the likelihood of a child dying before age five due to hunger and finally the third was to reduce the rate of extreme poverty. About 40 countries have already achieved the first target and extreme poverty rates have been cut in half since 1990. Food banks are a key component in the realization of these goals. In the U.S. alone, about 42 million people struggle with food insecurity and food banks are helping these people.”

Do’s and Don’ts of Donating

Common sense tells us to donate food that can be safely stored for a month or more, so of course we do not donate foods that need to be refrigerated or frozen. Around the holidays it is recommended to contact the food bank to see if you can donate frozen or refrigerated food for that special holiday meal.

Feeding America provides a guide on what to and what not to donate, which is linked [HERE]. We’ll offer a small bit of info, and we recommend visiting the web page and reading the full article:

“The number one rule to remember is this: if your donation is perishable, i.e., it’s something with a limited shelf life if not refrigerated, food banks won’t accept it.” The article goes on to say, “While an individual can’t donate a bunch of bananas or a frozen turkey, many food banks do work directly with farmers, retailers, restaurants, and other companies to source these perishable foods for donation. And, Feeding America helps ensure its network has access to these healthy foods year-round.”

We will keep readers updated on AMS’ food bank drives. If readers wish to make a personal donation, we recommend a quick search for a ‘food bank near me’ and enjoy, enjoy, enjoy. There is nothing more rewarding than giving of what you have to feed a hungry family.

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AMS Fulfillment is a Certified B Corporation, dedicated to People and Planet before Profit. We work to B the Change we wish to see in the world.